The Information Technology Interaction Model: a Core Model for the Mba Core Course

Abstract

This paper presents a teaching model we have used successfully in the MBA core course inInformation Systems at several universities. The model is referred to as the "InformationTechnology Interaction Model" because it maintains that the consequences of informationsystems in organizations follow largely from the interaction of the technology with theorganization and its environment. The model serves a number of pedagogical purposes: tointegrate the various course components, to provide a formal foundation for the coursecontent, to foster practical analytical skills, and to provide a framework for case discussionsand student projects. Moreover, the model is intended to acquaint students with the dynamics of information systems in organizations and to help them recognize the benefits,dangers, and limitations of these systems. The paper includes a discussion and examples ofhow the model can be used for proactive and reactive analyses, and it concludes with anassessment of the model's effectiveness in the core course.